Application Instructions

  • We are still accepting applications for SAA at UWRF and two GSI positions at UWEC.  For these opportunities you will be an online student working at either UW River Falls or UWEC.

  • Admission for the online and on-campus programs have been closed. 

posted 4.17.13

 

The SAA application involves a seven-step process as follows (please read the instructions below):

1. Complete the UW System Online Admission Application and pay the $56 fee.
2. Send all transcripts.
3. Complete the SAA Application.
4. Submit a personal statement.
5. Submit your resume.
6. Two letters of recommendation will need to be sent to us via email on your behalf.

 

Detailed instructions (all materials should be submitted electronically):


    1. Complete the UW System Online Application. 
Go to the Graduate Admissions website and then to the "UW System online application" link. You will need to register as a new user.  Please have your 3 references selected before you begin the application. You will need to pay an application fee of $56 to the University of Wisconsin System per the instructions in the application. After completing your application, you will receive an important email from UW-La Crosse WINGS that includes a username and password that allows you to check on the status of your application. Please keep a copy of this information for your records.

Note: International students should go to the Office of International Education website for application information. All International students should also submit the information below. 


     2.  Request that your institutions send all complete official transcripts to:

UW-L Graduate Admissions
142 Cleary Center
1725 State Street,
 La Crosse, WI., 54601.

You must have official transcripts from every institution ever attended sent to our Admissions Office -- there are no exception to this Admissions Office policy.  The institutions will send them electronically or via traditional mail.  For all questions related to transcripts, contact Brandon Schaller, Graduate Student Status Examiner, Graduate Admissions Office at 608.785.8941. It is suggested that you request all transcripts from your institutions by January 10th to make sure to meet the early consideration deadline. You do not need to have UW-L transcripts sent; the Admissions Office will automatically add your UW-L transcript to your application.  Note: the #1 reason for an incomplete application is that the Graduate Admissions Office is still waiting for transcripts to arrive.




    3.  Complete the SAA On-Campus Application Form or the SAA Online Application Form.
Make sure you complete the correct form because they are different. Question 6 - Education: If you attended only one institution, please use a dash ("-") or "N/A" in the fields for the second institution; otherwise you will be brought back to this question when you try to submit the application. At the end of the form when you press "done," you should get a "thank you" to confirm that your application has been received. Note: these links will remain active from November 15th until the admissions process is closed.





Complete the following supplemental materials and send them to Student Affairs Administration (SAA) via email to saa@uwlax.edu.  Please include your name and program option (on-campus, online or UW-RF) in the subject line.


    4. Submit a personal statement (PDF).
 Describe your interest in student affairs and how your previous academic and professional experiences have prepared you for graduate study in the SAA Program. Your statement should be a maximum of three pages, double-spaced, using a 12 point font. Make sure to include your name, date, and program option (on-campus, online or UW-RF) at the top of your paper.



    
     5. Submit a resume or vita (PDF).



    6.  Two letters of recommendation.
The letters should be emailed by your references to saa@uwlax.edu. Please tell your references to send the letter as an attachment (PDF preferred) and to identify what they are sending with your name and program option in the subject line of their email. Example: "Reference for Eva Doe (Online)"  In the attachment, the letters may be addressed to the "SAA Admissions Committee" at 345 Morris Hall, La Crosse, Wisconsin. Letters of recommendation that are received from the applicant will not be accepted.  Note: please ask your references to indicate their title in their signature.




Miscellaneous notes

Please identify what you are sending with your name and program option in the subject line. For example, "Writing Sample -- Jane Doe (Online)" or "Resume -- John Doe (On-Campus)". Sara Flack will be assisting with the admissions process and may be contacted at 608.785.6869 or via email at saa@uwlax.edu. Check WINGS for the status of your application.

You will be asked to submit the names of two additional references in the electronic SAA Application form. Please use any of the references you identified in the UW System application (you don't need to select additional references).  

We appreciate your interest in our program and look forward to receiving your application! The SAA Admissions Committee will begin reviewing applications after the Visit Days interviews. We will be in touch with you via email so make sure we have your updated email address.

 

What happens next?

Check WINGS for the status of your application. The SAA Admissions Committee will begin reviewing complete applications after the February deadline to determine who will be invited to the Visit Days (on-campus applicants). The SAA Admissions Committee will consider all aspects of your application including your academic history, campus involvements, and work experiences. You may be contacted for a phone/Skype interview (online applicants) or if we need more information regarding your application to make sure that it is complete and can be considered.  

Offers will be extended and must be accepted within a few weeks (Online) or by April 15th (On-Campus). Those who are not extended offers may be put on the waiting list and may be extended offers later.  Hopefully, this whole process will conclude by late April but it may go longer. Given that the Online classes start in May, that admissions process will move slightly faster than the On-Campus process.  Online applications may be accepted for fall if there are still slots available -- which depends on how many students are completing the 3-year plan.

Program Start Dates

The Online program starts the third week of May (both the 2 and 3-year option) and the On-Campus program starts in September on the Tuesday after Labor Day. If admitted, new students may be able to join the Online Program in the fall or summer (if spots are available) although this could result in an August or other graduation date two years later.

 

Application Checklist
(all completed online or via email)

_______ UW System Online Admissions Application (International Students apply at Office of International Education)
_______ Transcripts (sent from every institution ever attended to the Graduate Admissions Office, not to SAA)
_______ $56 fee
_______ SAA Application Form (On-Campus or Online)
_______ Personal Statement -- sent as a PDF attachment to saa@uwlax.edu
_______ Resume -- sent as a PDF attachment to saa@uwlax.edu
_______ Recommendation Letter #1 sent to saa@uwlax.edu from the source (not the applicant)
_______ Recommendation Letter #2 sent to saa@uwlax.edu  from the source (not the applicant).
                Note: Please submit your materials electronically per the instructions. No hard copies. Thanks! 

Questions?  Call Sara at 608.785.6869 or email her at saa@uwlax.edu .